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[1-News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

Tracking snow plows by satellite. No, Virginia, this isn't Buffalo. It's part of the planning process for the snowfa
ll that's expected in Danville tonight.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
And a tale of not just three- -but FIVE little piggies-- the work of the same people who cloned a sheep named Dolly.
(------------)

[Sports-head]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

In sports, Mike Stevens tells us how the Hokies will shape up next football season, a key player for the Roanoke College men's basketball team takes a leave of absence.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

and Ronde Barber is one of six Tampa Bay Buccaneers to make the NFL pro bowl.
(------------)

[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Robin]
[SS=None]

And the first mid Atlantic snow of the year is hugging the coast producing more of a threat for southside than southwest. Details coming up.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon 4-Shot]

Parts of our area are bracing for their first snowstorm of the season.
In Pittsylvania County and parts of Southside, the National Weather Service is calling for 3 to 6 inches, starting tonight.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

Some other parts of our area, including Campbell, Franklin and Henry County are under a winter weather advisory.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith-Shannon & Marya /Microwave;]

Marya Jones is out in the cold tonight to tell us how they're getting ready to do battle with the snow.
[LIVE=Marya /FULL Microwave]
[SUPER=@Marya1;]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]

Keith and Shannon,
Roanoke isn't likely to see more than a few flurries...
But to the south, people are getting ready for their first winter storm.
And the City of Danville is pulling out some high-tech tools in preparation for snow and ice.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=NATS:tractor]
[SUPER=03-Danville; :00]
[SUPER=01-Richard Drazenovich; :29]
[RUNS=1:13]
[OUT Q=THAT IT WON'T WORK. ]
(((///// SOT /////)
[NATS: 1:11:29]
((NATS: TRACTOR DUMPING SALT.))
[RUNS:03]
Danville's Public Works department is busy brewing a special winter weapon: A liquid salt solution that trucks pour on the road to keep snow and ice from sticking.
They expect to use that, along with calcium chloride and traditional rock salt and sand, tonight... to combat a possible 3 to 6 inches of snow.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:05:00 - :23]
((RICK DRAZENOVICH: THE FIRST THING WE DO IS PREPOSITION OUR TRUCKS SO WE'RE READY FOR IT WHEN IT STARTS FALLING... CONCENTRATE ON ARTERIALS AND PRIMARIES.. AS SOON AS IT STOPS FALLING, WE MAKE ONE LAST PASS OVER THEM, THEN WE GO ON SECONDARY STREETS AND FINALLY RESIDENTIAL STREETS. ))
[RUNS:23]
The city's 20 snow plows are ready to run around the clock.
And, this year, they'll be tracked by satellite.
A screen back at the Public Works office shows where plows are from minute-to-minute... allowing the department to track where they've been and where they need to go.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:03:46 - 1:04:01]
((WELL, IF IT TURNS OUT TO BE NOT MUCH OF A STORM, IT WAS A GOOD DRY RUN FOR US... THERE WILL EVENTUALLY BE A STORM WE NEED TO MOBILIZE ON. IT ALLOWS US TO MAKE SURE OUR EQUIPMENT IS OPERATING... NOTHING'S DETERIORATED OVER THE SUMMER ENOUGH THAT IT WON'T WORK. ))
[RUNS:15]))
(-------------)
[LIVE=Marya/FULL Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]

The storm is making its way up from North Carolina now... and though it's not expected to have much of an impact in Roanoke, it's already affecting air travel.
Some Delta flights between Roanoke Regional Airport and Atlanta have been cancelled tonight because of the storm system.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Marya & Robin /Microwave;]

The crash happened at mile marker 162 near Buchanan.
State Police say a northbound Ford Thunderbird pulled in front of a semi truck and the two collided.
Passengers in the Thunderbird were taken to Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
No word on their condition.
The truck's cargo of air conditioning units spilled across the highway.
V-Dot expected to reopen one northbound lane about 6 o-clock.
The second lane will be closed until later this evening.
(------------)

[Pulaski-Fatal]

Another accident on 81 this morning took the life of a Salem teenager.
State Police say nineteen year old Benjamin Matthew Elmore was traveling north in Pulaski County when his Chevy Cavalier ran off the road and hit a guard rail.
The car overturned, throwing Elmore out of the vehicle.
He died at the scene.

[Cloned-Pigs]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=01-52 TC1:28:19]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A New River Valley company has the distinction of being the first to clone the famous sheep "Dolly", the first to show gene targeting in livestock and the first to clone pigs.
Now PPL Therapeutics is announcing another major breakthrough.
This one in cloning and how it may shape the future of organ transplants.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & Rachel/Microwave;]
New River Valley Bureau Chief Rachel Cannon has more on this story.
She joins us from Blacksburg, Rachel?
Shannon,
Today officials at PPL Therapeutics showed off 5-piglets.
[LIVE=Rachel /FULL Microwave]
[SUPER=@Rachel1;]
[SUPER=05-Blacksburg;]
The animals are special because they have been cloned WITHOUT a specific gene.
A gene that's standing in the way of successful animal - human transplants.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Nats piglets]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-David Ayres/PPL Therapeutics COO and VP of Research; :18]
[SUPER=04-March 2001; :53]
[RUNS=1:14]
[OUT Q=TO DIE NEXT WEEK.]
((Nats TC
PPL Therapeutics'' Christmas present came in the form of piglets this year when Angel, Joy, Star, Noel and Mary were born on the 25th.
The piglets, a result cloning, are without a specific gene.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 34:59:04]
[IN Q=by knocking]
((DAVID AYRES/PPL THERAPEUTICS COO AND VP OF RESEARCH; BY KNOCKING THAT GENE OUT NOW WHEN WE TRANSPLANT ORGANS OR CELLS OR ISLETS THAT ARE PRODUCING INSULIN FOR TREATMENT OF DIABETES THEY WON'T BE REJECTED WHEN WE PUT THEM BACK IN THE HUMAN PATIENTS.))
[OUT Q=human patients]
Dubbed the "knock out" pigs, the step is a major breakthrough in xenotransplantation...the use of animal cells, tissues and organs in humans.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 35:28:27]
[IN Q=the whole]
((THE WHOLE POINT IN CLONING PIGS WAS TO BE ABLE TO GET WHERE WE ARE TODAY TO BE ABLE TO KNOCK A GENE OUT IN A CELL AND USE THAT CELL TO NOW CLONE KNOCK OUT PIGS AND SO WE'VE TAKEN IT SEQUENTIALLY OVER THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF.))
[OUT Q=YEAR AND A HALF]
The now deleted gene makes an enzyme that adds sugar to an animal's cells....the human body recognizes this as foreign...so in turn rejects a transplant.
PPL's new technology may be able to save thousands.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 45:27:02]
[IN Q=there's over]
((THERE'S OVER 60-THOUSAND PEOPLE WAITING TO GET AN ORGAN IN THE UNITED STATES ALONE AND WHEN PEOPLE START ASKING WHO WOULD WANT TO PUT A PIG ORGAN IN THEM, I'LL TELL YOU WHO AND THAT'S THE PEOPLE ON THE WAITING LIST WHO ARE GOING TO DIE NEXT WEEK.))
[OUT Q=DIE NEXT WEEK.]))
(-------------)
[LIVE= Rachel /FULL Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Blacksburg;]
Ayres says the technology can also tackle diabetes.
The first product PPL expects to launch will involve transplanting insulin producing cells in to a person whose body doesn't produce it...it may a cure.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & Rachel /Microwave;]
Shannon, Ayres estimates that happening in 2009...clinical and human trials for the technology will take 7 or 8 years.

[Campbell-Cars]

Here today, gone yesterday.
That's apparently been the story with five car dealerships in Campbell County.. as dealers made a move that could help them avoid paying the county merchant's inventory tax.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Campbell Co.]

Yesterday, this lot at the Saturn dealership on Timberlake Road was completely empty.. today cars were being moved back into place.
Campbell County levies a tax on any inventory that's in place on January 1st... by moving the cars off their lots, dealers won't have to declare that inventory.
Shelor Automotive in Montgomery County first started the practice in 1998, and the state Supreme Court declared it legal last spring.
Commissioner of Revenue Calvin Massie says the county stands to lose more than one hundred thousand dollars in taxes.
Calls to the car dealers' spokesman were not returned.
(------------)

[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
[SS=NONE]

A Hill City police officer will soon high up in the mountains of Utah... helping keep the Winter Olympics secure.

That's still ahead on News 7 at Six
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

And after more than five decades in business, an area shoe store owner decides to hang it up.
(----------------)

(///// SOT /////)
[Web Address Announce]
[Pinnacle 4885ess]
[Comm#1]

[Bramblett]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=01-62 TC29:48]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
Convicted killer Earl Bramblett has lost his best hope of having his death sentence and convictions overturned.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
Federal Judge James Turk denied Bramblett's petition to present new evidence in the Hodges family murder case.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/October 1997]
The judge's 108-page opinion suggests Bramblett may have been every bit as devious in his attempt to throw off authorities as police suspected he was.
[SUPER=03-Vinton/August 1994]

Judge Turk points out the killer went to "great lengths ...to hinder the investigation, ...removing the barrel from the gun," setting fire to the house and leaving misleading notes on the doors."
(-----------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=None]
In analyzing some unusual ballistic evidence, the judge theorizes the killer might have loosely attached a barrel to the gun, shot the victims, removed the barrel, leaving the gun and casings in the Hodges' home... all in an attempt to confuse investigators.

[Bedford-Fire]

Fire destroyed a home in Bedford County today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.]

Crews from three area volunteer fire companies were called to this house on Charlemont (SHAR-luh-mont) Road near Big Island just before 11 a.m.
The two-story log home was already engulfed in flames when they arrived.
Authorities say the homeowner was able to escape the blaze unharmed.
It's believed the fire started near the chimney but the cause remains under investigation.
(------------)

[Juliens-Shoes]

It's survived five decades, two locations, and dozens of managers... but Julien's Shoes is closing for good.
The store's owner is ready to retire.
As Business Reporter Jennifer Miele explains, Wes Bowles is ready to kick off his shoes and relax.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=64-year-old Wes]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;:00]
[SUPER=01-Wes Bowles/Owner;:14]
[SUPER=@jennifer1;:24]
[SUPER=01-Mary Lou Bowles/Owner's Wife;:38]
[RUNS=1:25]
[OUT Q=JM News 7 Roanoke.]
(( 64-year-old Wes Bowles is hard at work, getting his shoe store ready for a going out of business sale.
Bowles couldn't find a buyer for Julien's at Towers Shopping Center ... so he's decided to trade-in childrens shoes for golf shoes.
[SOT]
((WES BOWLES: I WANT TO...LITTLE SLOWER.))
[RUNS08]
[STANDUP]
((BOWLES BOUGHT THE STORE FROM ITS ORIGINAL OWNER, JULIEN SACKS IN 1985 -- AND THE SHOE BUSINESS WAS A PERFECT FIT. THAT'S WHY HE SAYS GETTING OUT OF IT TOOK A LOT OF SOUL SEARCHING.))
[RUNS10]
Bowles' wife Mary Lou helped him buy the store, and now she's helping him close it.
[SOT]
((MARY LOU BOWLES:HE'S MADE A LOT OF FRIENDS....SORT OF SAD.))
[RUNS13]
In shoe terms, Bowles describes himself as a walking shoe -- an ordinary guy taking things one step at a time.
[SOT]
((WES BOWLES: i'VE BEEN....LONG TIME.))
[runs09]
For the next six weeks, Julien's Shoes will liquidate its inventory, and Bowles will continue to look for a buyer.
But even if he doesn't find one, Bowles says his ties to the Roanoke Retail Community will stay tight.
Jennifer Miele, News 7, Roanoke.))

[County-Supers]

A bleak budget picture in Richmond will mean less money for local governments.
That's the warning today from area lawmakers.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

Funding has been the focus in recent weeks whenever state legislators and local officials sat down together.
Lawmakers hope to avoid a repeat of last year's budget stalemate, but they say the growing budget shortfall will mean little money for new initiatives.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Certainly it's going to be tough]
((DEL. MORGAN GRIFFITH: CERTAINLY, IT'S GOING TO BE TOUGH. WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SOME CUTS TO PROGRAMS THAT WE ALL THINK ARE PRETTY GOOD PROGRAMS, BUT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO THAT BECAUSE THE MONEY'S NOT THERE, AND THAT'S WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETIMES.))
((FUZZY MINIIX/CAVE SPRING SUPERVISOR: DELEGATE MORGAN SAID THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO BITE THE BULLET IN RICHMOND THIS YEAR, AND I JUST POINTED OUT TO HIM THAT WHEN THEY HAVE TO BITE THE BULLET AT THAT LEVEL, WE HAVE TO CHEW THE BULLET UP AND SWALLOW IT. AND THAT'S NO FUN EITHER.))
[SUPER=@Griffith; :00]
[SUPER=01-Fuzzy Minnix/Cave Spring Supervisor; :12]
[RUNS=:24]
[OUT Q=and that's no fun either.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

This morning, Catawba Supervisor Joe "Butch" Church was elected Chairman for the coming year.
And newly elected Hollins Supervisor Richard Flora took his seat on the Board.
(------------)

[Cop-Olympics]

Right now, he's patrolling the streets of Lynchburg.. in a few weeks, a Hill City policeman packs his gun and badge and heads to Utah to help out with the 2002 Winter Olympics.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

Officer Rick Ruggieri (roo-JER-ee) is one of just a few officers from Virginia chosen for the security force in Salt Lake City this year.
He says he's looking forward to the once- in- a- lifetime opportunity.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:05:48]
[IN Q=The biggest thing]
((OFF. RICK RUGGIERI/LYNCHBURG POLICE DEPT.: THE BIGGEST THING I THINK WAS JUST THE INTERNATIONAL VENUE. I THINK THAT WAS REALLY NEAT, THAT ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE, HERE ON OUR SOIL, TO HAVE THE GAMES, BE PART OF AN INTERNATIONAL EVENT WITH INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS, INTERNATIONAL ATHLETES, INTERNATIONAL VENUE. THE EXPERIENCE OF LARGE EVENT PLANNING, SECURITY PURPOSES FOR THOSE THINGS, I JUST THINK WAS REALLY INTRIGUING FOR ME, FOR MY CAREER AND DEVELOPMENT.))
[SUPER=01-Officer Rick Ruggieri/Lynchburg Police Dept.]
[RUNS=23]
[OUT Q=career and development.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Ruggieri is taking a three-week leave of absence from his job in the Lynchburg police department.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=None]

All told, more than 500 law enforcement officers from across the country are volunteering their services for the Games.

[Sports tease]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Tech and Roanoke college gear up for bassketball games tonight, Ronde Barber makes the pro bowl,
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

and senior leadership is great...until it is gone, Mike Stevens explains in a Gaotr Bowl wrap up.
(------------)

[S-Ronde]

Ronde barber waited five years and today, it was worth it as the former Cave Spring standout and now Tampa Bay Buccaneer star was named to his first NFL Pro Bowl roster.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-NFL; :00]

Ronde will represent the NFC in the pro bowl as one of three cornerbacks selected. Ronde is also one of six Buccaneers to make the pro bowl. Barber racked up 10 interceptions this season, the most in the NFL in 11 years. He also registered 91 tackles and one sack.
(------------)

[S-Skins]

The Washington Redskins have placed two players on the pro bowl team.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-NFL; :00]

Lavar Arrington was the NFC's top fan vote recipient at outside linebacker. Arrington came into the NFL last season and was part of the Skins back to back second and third picks in the draft along with left tackle Chris Samuels who will join Arrington in the pro bowl February ninth in Hawaii. The starting teams will be announced January 12th.
(------------)
[anchor=steve]
[graphic=redskins]

Cornerback Champ Bailey is a first alternate and running back Stephen Davis is a second alternatel.[S-Gator]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-108 5420tc]
[GRAPHIC=TECH FOOTBALL]
The Virginia Tech football team won't find out until later in the week where it ends up in the final top 25 polls. But the real question surrounds next season. Mike Stevens takes a look ahead.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[SUPER=03-Jacksonville, FL/2002 Gator Bowl; :00]
[SUPER=01-Bud Foster/VT Defensive Coordinator; :21]
[SUPER=01-Billy Hite/VT Associate Head Coach; :36]
[SUPER=@mike1; :49]
[SUPER=03-Newport News/2001 Season; :59]
[SUPER=01-Marcus Vick/Warwick High Quarterback; 1:16]
[SUPER=01-Tommy Reamon/Vick's High School Coach; 1:30]
[RUNS=1:45]
[OUT Q=.,.NEWS 7 SPORTS."]
(--------------)
(( The Hokies lost more than just a game to Florida State. 22 seniors - the winning class in school history said so long to Blacksburg. The losses are staggering 7 starters on defense and 6 more on offense.
Yet the coaches are optimistic about next year.
((BUD FOSTER:))
((BILLY HITE:))
((MIKE STEVENS:))
Marcus has the Hokies in his final four schools. His official visit to campus will take place on January 25th. And no - he's not worried about following in his brother's footsteps.
((MARCUS VICK:))
((TOMMY REAMON:))
Mike Stevens News 7 Sports.))

[S-Maroons]

Roanoke College is hosting the ninth annual V-Foundation mens basketball tournament today and tomorrow. Roanoke will will play Eastern Connecticut State at 7:30 without one of it's key players.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :00]

[S-Dazzle]

The Roanoke Dazzle is back in action tomorrow night against Asheville, a team Roanoke will play without Thomas Hamilton.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
The Dazzle made it's second roster move in a week by waiving the 7 foot 2 center. Hamilton, the only NBDL player averag(------------)
ing a double-double, lost his starting job with the Dazzle. He started Roanoke's first 16 games.